About the Author

As a lifelong avid hiker, and past forestry volunteer, my blog is dedicated to sharing Northern California trails with photos, maps, driving directions, difficulty ratings, elevation changes, trail conditions, and related tips. At http://peachyhiker.blogspot.com/, read about everything from swimming in
glacier lakes alongside the melting snow to being stranded overnight in the wilderness. Find trails to hike and backpack in Northern California and related topics. For those unable to get to these places, my goal is to help you experience what I do vicariously. Occasionally other related topics are addressed.

I am here for culture, information, inspiration, wisdom, knowledge, encouragement, humor, and to share some of each with you too.

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Upon arriving at Lyons Lake, I discovered completely idyllic, serene views, and wilderness solitude. (Visited only by a photogenic marmot, that is!) Lyons Lake offers the classic wilderness experience Desolation strives to provide.

If you click on a photo you can scroll through the photos, enlarged for easier viewing. At the bottom of this article I have posted Wikiloc's link for GPS tracks, a topo map of the trail, and an elevation profile.

Length: 10+ miles RT per my GPS.

Elevation: range from 6707 to 8401 feet.

Directions: Take Wrights Lake Road north off of Highway 50, out of Kyburz, CA. Follow the signs to Lyons Creek Trailhead. The Wrights Lake Road will be between tract 36 and tract 39 along Highway 50.

Other advisories: There is free parking; no restroom. At the trailhead there are day passes available that you will need to cross into the Desolation Wilderness. If you are planning to backpack in, obtain a permit from Recreation.gov , a Tahoe Basin Ranger Station or from Pacific Ranger Station off of Highway 50 at Fresh Pond.. There are minimal fees. No campfires allowed inside the wilderness boundaries. Fishing is popular and you need your fishing license. Check for Desolation's current regulations.

Wildflowers abound while the area is still moist with runoff from snow melt. They line the trail and there is no need to bushwhack around to have the pleasure of the colors.

As you approach Desolation, it is getting drier and rockier, but as you climb in elevation (gradually until the fork up to Lyons Lake) you'll wind your way through some more shady areas, but the threat is the mosquitoes are there waiting for you!!! They seem to love Deet.

This trail is not only inviting to us, but those flying biting ravenous bugs. The trail gains elevation slowly at first and is as the photo depicts, pleasant and easy. But it's deceptive!

It gradually gets steeper and definitively rockier!

Then the junction for Lyons or Sylvia Lakes is clearly marked with a forestry post, and both are wonderful destinations. It's only .1 mile farther to Lyons though quite a bit steeper climb.

On a warm day you tend to look for some shady rest as the trail has wandered away from the creek. A hat is nice protection and sunscreen is worth the trouble.

The next thing you know you'll cross Lyons Creek, preferably by going from rock to rock, but plan on getting wet.

The trail up to Lyons Lake winds upward through the rocks and boulders, and is pretty easy to follow.

This creek flowing from Lyons is slightly off trail, actually easy to get to for a rest.

You have arrived! There is an outlet from Lyons that has a small dam on its north side that you can cross to get to this small clearing beside the lake that is shaded.

This little marmot will probably visit you. He was happy to let me wander around taking photos but he didn't get into my things, as some will do without apology. There are several campsites around the lake. I chose the flat granite east of the outlet.

This photo is of the west side of Lyons Lake later in the day.

Fewer wildflowers are to be found up here, but these were bright accents to the drier scenery.

Photo of Lake Sylvia on June 13, 2012

Lake Sylvia is the reward of this 9.2 mile round trip,

out and back, hike on Lyons Creek Trail.

The trail starts out wide but becomes single file. Some sections are nice firm dirt and some areas are loose rock and tree roots. Most of the climb is fairly steady and slow going in, but once you are close to the lake it is a bit steeper. (The graph at the bottom of this page will show you what to expect.) Remember that it means your reward is imminent!

(June) This day was perfect weather and we picnicked and waded in the lake to refresh ourselves from the hike up. There is less snow already as of June 21, 2012. With the nice days it is quickly melting! The weather is a relief, being degrees cooler than a couple thousand feet lower in elevation. There are nice places to wade and picnic.

As you hike there are three markers to help you know your way. The first is a sign where Bloodsucker Trail meets Lyons Creek Trail. The next is Desolation Wilderness Entry and is a large sign. The last is a post that points to the left for Lyons Lake and ahead for Sylvia. If you get that far don't despair! The trail climbs, but keep in mind that the lake is gorgeous and a welcome reward! You are almost there!

Difficulty: Moderate, due to 9 mile length and elevation.

Elevation Change: 6719-8080 feet

Location: El Dorado National Forest (and partway along the hike you enter the Desolation Wilderness which requires a permit you can obtain and fill out at the parking lot).

Take Wrights Lake Road north off of Highway 50 at Kyburz.

Follow the signs to Lyons Creek Trailhead. If you cross Lyons Creek you just passed the good sized parking lot available at the trailhead. No restroom there.

Lyons Creek in June 2012

In some areas the water is a bit gross, just sitting on the trail, a muddy bug breeding ground.Just this week, June 21, 2012 The water is less of a mess. There are still some fun blankets of snow, though smaller and only the higher elevation ones! None are blocking the trail. The creek crossing is deeper than shoes are tall, so bring extra socks at least, and I try to go from rock to rock across.

This was the only tree fall between entering Desolation Wilderness and the trail junction. It was easy to go around, so the trail was easy and fun to follow. You hike on mostly a rock bed that will give your knees and ankles a workout! The water on this trail does tend to run all along the trail instead of elsewhere, so good hiking shoes are an advantage. You will need to cross places that are rocky stream beds with water runoff pouring along, but again, I try to use rocks to hop across. None is very deep like knee high!

Wildflowers abound on this trail!

From this junction you can hike up to Lyons Lake or go on to Sylvia Lake. There are creek crossings along the way, so again, good shoes help. The water levels vary. At least bring extra socks!

We called this a mini-geyser because from a distance it looks like a geyser.

The current in these nice resting areas is swift so beware but the water isn't anywhere near as cold as we expected and where it was safe, it was cooling and perfect for wading in!

This is what is called a widow maker. Best not to hang around these because they come by that nickname honestly...falling and killing or injuring people.

Trail data:

I highly recommend you bring water and some snacks or lunch. No fires are permitted in the wilderness, and a fire permit is needed even for your small campstoves. Please Leave No Trace and enjoy your trip!